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THE TRYAL: A COMEDY.

nature, I would have toiled, I would have bled for her, but I can never yoke myself with unworthiness.

Ag. (Wiping her eyes, and giving two skips upon the floor.) O! admirable! admirable! speak to him, uncle! tell him all, my dear uncle! for I can't say a word.

Col. (Aside to Royston.) Isn't she a little wrong in the head, Royston?

With. Give me your hand, Harwood: you are a noble fellow, and you shall marry this little girl of mine after all. This story of the letter and Lady Fade, was only a concerted one amongst us, to prove what mettle you are made of. Agnes, to try your love, affected to be shrewish and extravagant; and afterwards, at my suggestion, to try your principles, contrived this little plot, which has just now been unravelled: but I do assure you, on the word of an honest man, there is not a better girl in the kingdom. I must own, however, she is a fanciful little toad. (Harwood runs to Agnes, catches her in his arms, and runs two or three times round with her, then takes her hand and kisses it, and then puts his knee to the ground.)

Har. My charming, my delightful Agnes! Oh! what a fool have I been! how could I suppose it.

Ag. We took some pains upon you, and it would have been hard if we could not have deceived you amongst us all.

Har. And so thou art a good girl, a very good girl. I know thou art. I'll be hang'd if thou hast one fault in the world.